Chiaretto is a classic Rosè wine from Lake Garda in Northern Italy.
Chiaretto means "The Little Light One".
Red Cherry |
Pomegranate |
Strawberry |
Citrus |
Peach |
Rose Petals |
Herbs |
Minerals |
Chiaretto is dry, crisp, floral and salty. A great summer wine!
Chiaretto (the little light one) is fresh and fruity:
SUGAR | Dry | ||
BODY | Light | ||
FRUIT | High | ||
ACIDITY | Medium-High | ||
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Chiaretto Valtenesi is a blend of Groppello grapes and has some tannins, tart cherry and spice flavors.
To obtain such a light rosé, local winemakers use a bleeding technique called Saignée in French or Salasso in Italian. It means they quickly take a part of the must away from the tank and use that to make rosé. While the remaing must in the tank stays longer in contact with the skins becoming a red wine.
The 'bleeding' technique is often criticized as the real purpose is to produce more concentrated red wine and rosé is just a by-product.
The Rosé Revolution started in 2014, has changed the game. Now producers have abbandoned the french Saignée and grow and harvest grapes expressly for Chiaretto: early picking the grapes to retain acidity and use of low contact time just like for white wines.